Single-piece shell for electric-light sockets.



H. W. LAWRENCE.

SINGLE PIECE SHELL FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOCKETS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. 1914,

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

: HARRY w, LAWRENCE, or DENVER, oonoaano. l

SINGLE-PIECE SHELL FOR ELECTRIC-LIGHT SOCKETS.

integers.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY W. LAWRENCE,

a citizen of the United States of America, v

residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful SinglaPiece Shell. for Electricliight Sockets, of which the following is a specification. -j

My invention is for a single piece shell for electric light sockets, and the objects of my invention are: First. To provide in a socket shell an undivided single piece integrally constructed shell of. any shape or design. Second. To provide in a socket shell; a shell that is so arranged that a switch ltey can be used with it that is made separate from the switch mechanism and that can be applied through a key hole formed in the shell to manipulate the switch mechanism; to turn on or oil the light: Third. To provide in a socket shell, a

, shell that is adapted bynieans of a key hole,

to lock itself to the switch mechanism of the socket. I attain these objects by the mecharaisin illustrated'in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the improved shell for electric light sockets. Fig.

4e decorative embellishment.

2 is a vertical sectional view of the same, showing more clearly the guide groove leadv ing from the mouth ofthe socket to the'key hole aperture; and .Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line' 33 of Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

I have illustrated a round shell of a particular design, but my invention contemplates any new type of socket shell made in any suitable shape'ot' cross section and of any design and character of artistic and In the drawings the numeral 1 designates,

.in general, a socket shell embodying my invention. .lt consists of a single integral piece of any material suitable to be used in the construction of shells for use in electric light sockets. I preferably, however, make these'shells out of insulating material and preferably make them out of porcelain in the manner well understood in the art of making porcelain articles. My improved shell can, be made, however, of thin brass or anyother suitable metal, but when metal is used'the shell should be provided with an insulating lining of fiber or other suitable insulating material. I do not illustrate this Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 1?;1915.

Application filed May 12, 1914.. Serial No. 838,093.

lining, as it does not form any part of my present invention.

My improved shell for electric light sock ets comprises a single casting of porcelain or other insulating material, or a single piece of brass or other suitable metal. In either caseit is made in one integrally whole and undivided monolithic member and structure, having a large axial aperture 2,

extending into one end of it for most of its length and large enough to receive the switch mechanism and its supporting casing, which I do not illustrate as it does not The opposite end of the shell from its switch casing receiving end is provided with an axial aperture 6, that connects with the large axial aperture that extends into it from its opposite end, and this smaller aperture 6, is adapted to receive the circuit Wires that lead to the switch mechanism. The outside surface of the shell isalso provided with a raised lug portion 7 around the keyhole aperture, .which is adapted to act as a reinforcement of the shell around the keyhole. This feature is an essential object in thin shells. out if desired can be dispensed with in thick shells. My invention contemplates its use or not, as well as the use'or not of the keyway recess 5, as desired.

My improved shell may be made of any shape or form, and its outside surface may be provided with any suitable arrangement of beads, moldings 01' parts in relief, or other characters of artistic decorative elements. 1 have illustrated it made up in a sint ple but artistic arrangement, which comprises a dome shaped portion 8 at the cord receiving end of the shell'tha't tapers points edly to a slight projecting axially arranged lug portion, through which the circuit'wires intorcing raised lug is formed on the body portion and extends to the adjacent edge of the hood portion.

I do not wish to be limited to the design r of the shell or to the decorative and artistic arrangement of its outside surface as illustrated, asniy invention contemplates any artistic and decorative arrangement of the outside surface of the shell desired.

When the shell has been made in one whole undivided integralpiece with the keyhole aperture formed through itinto'its large axial aperture in position to allow a key to 'operate the switch mechanism, it is complete and ready for use and to receive the switch mechanism, and after it is so made it is entirely free from additional pieces or parts and does not have connected to it any sc ews or clips, but is ready as illustrated in Fig. 1, to receive the switch, the switch mechanism and its supporting casing.

I do not illustrate the separate key that the key hole aperture of my shell is made to receive and that it is necessary to insert through the key hole in order to manipulate the switch mechanism to turn on or oil the light, and I do not illustrate the switch mechanism and its coiiperating mechanism that enables the key to properly connect with it and that enables the shell to become automatically locked to it, it being sufiicient to say that the key isapplied to the key hole and that an elementof theswitch mechanism extends up into the key hole and receives the key, as these features are embodied in a separate application Ser. No. 838,092, executed simultaneously with this application and filed in the Patent Ofiice at the same time with this present application.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A lamp socket, comprising an integral shell having a keyhole and an interior groove extending from the socket opening to said keyhole, said groove providing a; guideway for the switch-operating means during the assembling of the parts.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, MARGARET E. GAVIN. 

